Shandong University (SDU) has been devoted to internationalization since its establishment. Even in its early years, the University both hired foreign faculty and selected outstanding talents to study abroad. Over the long course of its development, SDU has always been rooted in Chinese culture, set its sights on new scientific frontiers and taken pride in having an open and progressive character. Internationalization has been identified as one of the strategies to guide the University into the future.

As the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, it has never been more important for global university leaders to stand together as a united community so as to tackle the challenges faced by us all and to refine the mission of the university.

In 2021, Shandong University will celebrate its 120^th anniversary. As part of the celebration, the University will hold a World University Presidents' Forum under the theme of "Higher Education for a Shared Future: Addressing Global Challenges". Leaders of national and international universities are invited to participate in the forum to further enhance exchange and cooperation and chart a new course of higher education for the new era.

山东大学自建校起就具有国际化基因，聘请外籍教习来校执教，选送优秀人才海外求学。在长期办学历史中，山东大学始终扎根中国大地，积极面向世界前沿，以开放进取的姿态办学、治学、兴学，国际化战略被确定为指导学校事业发展战略之一。

当今世界正经历百年未有之大变局，新一轮科技革命和产业革命在孕育之中，疫情又让世界大变局加速推进。如何发挥高等教育在面向未来促进共同发展，提升高校人才培养、科学研究、社会服务和文化传承创新的能力是全球高校共同面临的问题。

2021年山东大学即将迎来建校120周年华诞。作为校庆系列活动之一，学校将围绕“面向共同未来的高等教育：迎接全球挑战”的主题举办全球大学校长论坛，邀请境内外大学领导者参会，进一步增进高校间的交流合作，共谋新时期高等教育发展大计。